Author: Patrick Fee

Harold “Butch” A. Johnson, 77, of Dickinson, Texas, passed away November 21, 2025.

Graveside services will be held 1:30 p.m. Thursday, December 4, 2025 at Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Fairfield, Iowa. Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield is assisting the family.

Butch was born July 9, 1948, in Fairfield to Betty and Herbert Johnson. Butch graduated from Fairfield High School in 1966. In 1968, he was drafted into the United States Army, where he served his country with honor.

After returning home, Butch poured his mechanical talents into building his career. He founded Butch’s Trans and Auto, a shop he owned and operated for more than 30 years. Known for his honesty, skill, and commitment to his customers, he built a business – and a reputation – that will not be forgotten.

Butch found joy in the roar of engines and open roads. He loved NASCAR and drag racing, the freedom of motorcycle riding, and the challenge of building transmissions. He had a special place in his heart for all of his tractors – each one a testament to his hands-on spirit and love of machinery.

Butch is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Randy Johnson; and son, Jay Allen.

He is survived by his son, Heath Barrow; and grandchildren, Joseph Barrow, David Barrow, Hannah Barrow, and Elizabeth Barrow.

Shirley L. Belknap, 87, of Mediapolis, passed away on Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington.  Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 2nd 2025 at Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Mediapolis.  Funeral Services will follow at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025 at the funeral home.  Private family burial will be in Kossuth Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for the Des Moines County Fair and Mediapolis Ambulance in Shirley’s name.   Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.sandhfuneralservices.com.

Shirley L. Janssen was born on March 11th, 1938, in Burlington, Iowa, the daughter of Arnold and Inez (Moehle) Janssen.  Shirley attended Mediapolis High School, where she developed a passion for basketball and was a member of the Mediapolis 6-on-6 Girls High School basketball legacy.  She graduated high school in 1956 and on June 24, 1956, Shirley was united in marriage to William “Bill” Belknap in Mediapolis. Together they farmed north of Mediapolis and raised their family.  While raising her family, she was active in the Immanuel Lutheran church and was a 4-H leader for the Mediapolis Busy Bees for many years.  In 1981, she graduated from Southeastern Community College with her LPN degree in nursing.  After her husband, Bill, passed away in 1984, she took on a major role in the family farming operation with day-to-day farm and field work.

In addition to supporting the family farm, she was an accomplished dog breeder, raising “puppies with love” that were sent to hundreds of loving homes across the United States.  Also, Shirley enjoyed toting her own fishing rod and tackle box and fishing with her kids and grandkids at her pond. She hosted the Northfield 4th of July Parade gathering for several years, and also loved going to the casino. However, the highlight of every summer was camping at and attending the Iowa State Fair for over 60 years straight.  The Des Moines County Fair also held a special place in her heart, never once missing a county fair where her children and grandchildren were showing livestock, and even beating the heat to watch her grandkids show this past summer.

Perhaps Shirley’s greatest attribute was the level of support and interest she had for her children’s and grandchildren’s activities.  She was always there with her camera taking pictures and capturing memories. When she couldn’t attend in person, she would tune in online to watch and cheer, then be quick to text with a heartfelt message filled with emojis.  She was also an avid collector of many things.  She especially enjoyed collections that were shared with her kids and grandkids.

Shirley will be deeply missed by her children, Chris (Dean) Mumme of West Burlington, Mike (Annette) Belknap of Mediapolis, Judy (Mike) Marshall of Coralville and Craig (Kelly) Belknap of Mediapolis; grandchildren, Lynn (Nick) Schaul, Travis (Chelsie) Mumme, Cody (Renee) Belknap, Dustin (Madeline) Belknap, Lance Marshall, Austin (Kim) Marshall, Stella Belknap, Scarlett Belknap and Archer Belknap; great-grandchildren, Rhett Mumme, Esme Mumme, Collin Belknap, Savannah Belknap, Georgia Belknap, Todd Belknap, Finn Marshall and Charlie Marshall; siblings, Dolores (Lawrence ) Colton of Colorado and Gerald (Lila) Janssen of Ankeny and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bill; sister, Loretta Kuster and brother, Bill Janssen.

Linda M. Andrew, 76, of Mt. Pleasant, died Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at the Henry County Health Center in Mt. Pleasant, surrounded by her family.

Mrs. Andrew, the former Linda Marie Lott, was born January 14, 1949 in Waterloo, IA. She was the daughter of Ransom Ray and Cora Omega (Cordry) Lott. She was raised and attended school in Waterloo, graduating from Waterloo West High School in 1967. She attended the former Gates College (a business school in Waterloo, now Hawkeye Community College). On August 24, 1968 at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Waterloo, Linda was united in marriage to James “Jim” Dale Andrew.

Linda and Jim made their home in Wayne, Nebraska, while Jim completed his Bachelor’s Degree at Wayne State College. During that time, Linda worked at an egg production facility in nearby Wakefield, NE. After Jim’s graduation, the couple moved to Mt. Pleasant in 1969 where Jim had accepted a position with the Mt. Pleasant Community School District.

In Mt. Pleasant, Linda first worked at the former Iowa Wesleyan College Bookstore. She then worked at the former Motorola Company plant in Mt. Pleasa

nt. For 29 years, Linda was the Administrative Assistant to the head of the Research and Development Department of the Heatilator Fireplace Manufacturing Company. She retired in 2011.

Linda was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Mt. Pleasant. She played softball and bowled on local teams in Mt. Pleasant. While at home, she loved to raise vegetables in her large garden and canning the abundance of her produce. She was also a very avid reader who loved to listen to Neil Diamond and Whitney Houston. Linda devoted many hours to being a “coach’s wife”, attending an untold number of school sporting events and assisting the teams in many ways.

Those thankful for sharing in Linda’s life include her husband of 57 years, Jim of Mt. Pleasant; 2 children – Chuck (Jenni) Andrew of Mt. Pleasant, and Becky (Craig Wildeboer) Andrew of Holland, IA; 2 brothers – Bob Lott of Denver, IA and Larry Lott of Dike, IA; sisters–in-law Vivian Lott of Volga, IA and June Andew of West Des Moines, IA; brother-in-law William Andrew of West La Fayette, IN; grandchildren – Courtt Andrew, Bailey Andrew, Cameron (Olivia) Edwards, Jessi Andrew and Dalton Wildeboer; a great granddaughter – Joa Edwards, and a host of many other family members.

Her parents, sister Winnie Buttke, brother Don Lott, brothers-in-law Earl Buttke, and Larry Andrew and sisters-in-law Janice Lott and Josie Lott precede Linda in death.

Friends may call to sign the register from 12-7 PM on Saturday, December 6, 2025 at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mt. Pleasant. The family will not be present on Saturday. The family will receive friends from 12-2 PM on Sunday, December 7, 2025 at the First United Methodist Church, 309 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. A memorial service to celebrate Linda’s life will be held at 2PM on Sunday at the church. The Rev. Court Fischer, Senior Pastor, will officiate. Linda’s family cordially invites friends and family to a luncheon in the church’s Fellowship Hall immediately following the memorial service.

Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the family for decisions to be made in the future. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com.